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Offered languages
- English
Highlights
Feel the weight of a real sword in your hands — and discover why every movement in Iaido begins with stillness.
Learn directly from an 8th-dan grandmaster — the pinnacle of Iaido mastery, and one of very few in Japan.
Slip into a practice kimono and feel the shift — something about the cloth and the silence changes how you carry yourself.
Walk onto a centuries-old Noh stage and perform — the kind of moment you will struggle to explain until you show someone the photo.
Overview
Go beyond the museum display and experience the samurai tradition firsthand by learning Iaido, the Japanese martial art of the sword draw.
In this experience, your instructor will guide you through the fundamentals and help you discover the stillness and precision of Iaido. Practice the techniques, then perform the sequence on the traditional Noh stage.
No prior experience is required. Just bring your curiosity and experience the unique connection between swordsmanship and the Noh stage.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your English-speaking guide is waiting outside the Sakae Nohgaku Building— a short walk from Sa kae Station, right in the heart of the city. From the outside it looks like an ordinary building. The building is a lively mixed-use space housing boutiques, select shops, bars, and creative studios.
What to expect
Before picking up a sword, your swordmaster will introduce you to Iaido and its philosophy. You will learn the disciplined art of drawing the sword, performing a precise sequence of movements, and returning it to the scabbard. Iaido helps develop focus, composure, and precision.
You will then pick up a practice sword and learn the fundamentals at your own pace. Your swordmaster will guide you through proper posture, grip, drawing technique, and the basic Sanpogiri sequence, a three-direction cut that is one of the foundational exercises in Iaido. You will practice each movement and receive feedback on your form and technique.
The experience culminates on a traditional Noh stage. Step onto the polished wooden stage and perform the Sanpogiri sequence you have just learned. After your practice, take photos on the Noh stage while wearing your Iaido uniform and experience a memorable side of traditional Japanese culture.
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The minimum age for participants is 5 years old.
- A Mandarin, French, Spanish, German, or Korean-speaking guide may be available. Please contact the supplier in advance to check availability.
- Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to move in
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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